Tag: Mykal Walker

Falcons 2020 draft class ranked No. 16 by NFL.com

The Atlanta Falcons’ 2020 draft class only consisted of six players, headlined by the selection of Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell in the first round.

The Atlanta Falcons’ 2020 draft class only consisted of six players, headlined by the selection of Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell in the first round.

Initially, very few draft analysts had good things to say about the Falcons’ draft. One year later, the class definitely looks better than originally advertised. Terrell was one of the most criticized first-round selections. While he did get off to a rocky start, Terrell went on to show all the traits of a No. 1 corner.

There’s still a lot to learn about Atlanta’s 2020 class as a whole, though. NFL.com’s rookie report card — which gives each draft class a grade and ranking — listed the Falcons at No. 16 and gave the team a “B” grade. Nick Shook complimented Terrell’s upside:

Terrell’s stat line — 74 tackles, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, one interception (and nearly two) — is promising. The upside with Terrell is visible; he just needs more time to hone his craft and become an effective professional corner.

The real strength of the class, as Shook puts it, is fourth-round pick Mykal Walker out of Fresno State:

Walker carries this class, earning an overall grade of 74 from PFF and an elite coverage grade of 90.7 as a rookie, giving the Falcons solid value from a fourth-round pick. He didn’t play anywhere near a full season’s worth of defensive snaps in 2020, but that’s bound to change in 2021.

However, he wasn’t as high on the rest of the draft class:

Hawkins ended up spending most of his time on special teams, though he did register a half-sack in Atlanta’s blowout win over Las Vegas. Hofrichter appeared in all 16 games and dropped 17 punts inside the opposing 20, but landed near the bottom of the league in average yards per punt.

The Falcons have hired a new general manager and coaching staff, which could potentially hurt the development of last year’s draft class. On the other hand, head coach Arthur Smith has said he is a believer in talent dictating scheme. Atlanta currently holds the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft.

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Six Falcons players who could see expanded roles in 2021

By the time the 2021 NFL season kicks off, the Falcons’ roster could look very different than it does today.

By the time the 2021 NFL season kicks off, the Falcons’ roster could look very different than it does today. Several veteran members of the team are likely to become cap casualties, forcing many of Atlanta’s younger players to step into bigger roles next season.

Here are six Falcons who could see their roles expand in 2021.

Falcons have one player named to PFF’s All-Rookie Team

The Atlanta Falcons struggled defensively in  2020, but the team may have another hidden gem deep in last year’s draft.

The Atlanta Falcons struggled defensively in 2020, but the team may have found another hidden gem deep in last year’s draft class.

The writers over at Pro Football Focus unveiled their 2020 All-Rookie Team on Monday and linebacker Mykal Walker was the only Falcons player named on the list. Here’s PFF’s Ben Linsey on Walker’s rookie season.

Walker is one of the players who shined in a more limited role. Across 387 defensive snaps this season, he earned a 74.0 overall grade that included a 90.7 grade in coverage. Walker allowed just 74 passing yards into his coverage on 152 coverage snaps all season. He may not have the same stats as several of the other rookie linebackers across the league, but his play warrants some recognition here.

A fourth-round selection out of Fresno State in 2020, Walker was the 119th overall selection. Little was expected of the rookie linebacker when he was drafted, but his play this season has warranted a bigger role going forward.

It may come as a surprise to Falcons fans that first-round pick A.J. Terrell is not named in PFF’s rookie rankings. The two corners who made the list Terrell were L’Darius Sneed of the Chiefs and Cameron Dantzler of the Vikings.

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Falcons training camp: Highlights from Thursday’s scrimmage

The Falcons scrimmaged for a final time on Thursday as they get ready for Saturday’s final roster cuts.

The Falcons scrimmaged for a final time on Thursday as they get ready for Saturday’s final roster cuts. The team was without DL Marlon Davidson, OL Matt Hennessy, LB Mykal Walker, FS Ricardo Allen and WR Russell Gage.

The press wasn’t allowed to watch practice, but the team’s Twitter account released a highlight video from last night’s action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Check it out below.

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WATCH: Falcons DE Dante Fowler Jr. mic’d up at practice

The Falcons let defensive end Vic Beasley walk in free agency and signed Dante Fowler Jr. to a three-year, $48 million contract as a replacement.

The Falcons let defensive end Vic Beasley walk in free agency and signed Dante Fowler Jr. to a three-year, $48 million contract as a replacement.

Fowler, 25, was the third-overall pick in the 2015 draft. He’s coming off a career-best 11.5 sacks in 2019. Atlanta’s defense accounted for only 28 sacks last season, the second-lowest total in the NFL behind the Miami Dolphins.

So far, Fowler has fit right in at training camp. To help fans get to know the Falcons’ new defensive end a little better, the team mic’d him up for practice. Watch below, as shared by Atlanta’s Twitter account.

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Falcons rookie LB Mykal Walker gets 2nd INT of training camp

Another defensive rookie is stealing the headlines this week, though, as Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker made another impressive interception during Thursday’s training camp scrimmage.

The 2020 Atlanta Falcons draft class has gotten off to a good start in training camp. First-round pick A.J. Terrell has been solid in coverage, hanging right with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley at times.

Another defensive rookie is stealing the headlines this week, though, as Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker made another impressive interception during Thursday’s training camp scrimmage.

Watch below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.

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WATCH: 10 video clips from Falcons 2020 training camp

Let’s take a look at some of best plays and videos to come out of Atlanta’s COVID-19 edition of training camp.

Fans don’t have access to Falcons training camp this year as a safety precaution, but thanks to the team’s outstanding social media department, there’s been no shortage of highlights coming out of practice.

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays and videos to come out of Atlanta’s COVID-19 edition of training camp.

Dennard, Walker and Terrell get INTS:

Matt Ryan connects with Julio Jones:

Dan Quinn talks with Dante Fowler Jr.:

Ridley’s route-running: Better than ever

Dan Quinn mic’d up:

Alabama Catch with Ridley and Jones:

LB Foye Oluokun gives inside look:

Matt Schaub goes deep to Olamide:

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WATCH: Falcons rookie LB Mykal Walker makes impressive INT

The Atlanta Falcons took training camp to the next level on Tuesday as the team held its first full-contact practice.

The Atlanta Falcons took training camp to the next level on Tuesday as the team held its first full-contact practice. Several players stood out but rookie linebacker Mykal Walker, one of the Falcons’ two fourth-round picks, came away with the highlight of the day.

After a deflected ball came within his reach, Walker laid out and cradled the ball while spinning to the ground to bring in this impressive interception. Watch below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.

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Falcons rookie Mykal Walker gives heartwarming Father’s Day tribute

During a year that has been anything but normal, traditions like Father’s Day serve to remind us of what’s really important.

During a year that has been anything but normal, traditions like Father’s Day serve to remind us of what’s really important.

Falcons rookie linebacker Mykal Walker lost his father to colon cancer when he was just a freshmen in high school. Still, the Fresno State standout keeps the lessons he learned close to his heart.

Walker’s father, Michael Walker, also played at Fresno State, and had a big influence on Mykal’s decision to play football. In a special video tribute, Walker talks about his father’s message not to be average.

Watch the video below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter:

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Watch: Falcons GM discusses Jaylinn Hawkins, Mykal Walker

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff added three more players during Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft that figure to have prominent roles this season.

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff added three more players during Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft that figure to have prominent roles this season.

With two fourth-round picks, Atlanta stayed committed to revamping its defense by selecting Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker and Cal safety Jaylinn Hawkins.

Dimitroff gave his evaluations of both new Falcons defenders shortly after the selections were made. Speaking about Hawkins, Dimitroff praised the safety’s toughness:

Dimitroff praised Walker for explosiveness and athleticism:

The Falcons later selected punter Sterling Hofrichter in the seventh round, who should battle Ryan Allen for the starting punter job as well.

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